Mackenzie Carr, who is the 2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon, was crowned with the national title on Dec. 10 at the 2012 Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas. She is a 2008 graduate of Vernonia High School, a member of the Columbia County Horse 4-H for nine years and studied civil engineering for two years at Oregon State University.

In addition to the 2012 Miss Rodeo America crown, Carr received top awards at the national competition for her speech, appearance, horsemanship and was the recipient of the Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award.

The national competition was established in 1955, and is similar to other pageants in that the contestants vie for top spots based on their appearance, outfits and charisma. But the Miss Rodeo America has a few additional requirements: the women must also ride and direct horses along certain patterns laid out for them by judges.

Carr’s mother, Barb Carr, said on the Miss Rodeo Oregon blog that she handled the challenge of the horsemanship competition well.

"She moved that big guy out, sat him down nicely for a stop, rolled him back and took right off,” said Barb Carr, according to the blog. “She definitely showed enthusiasm and aggressiveness in her ride. And most importantly she was sporting a huge smile when it was over.”

As Miss Rodeo America, Carr will serve as the “official spokesperson for the sport of professional rodeo...,” according to the pageant’s website, and will promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

She will travel an estimated 100,000 miles during her year-long reign, appearing at about 100 rodeo performances, and will also make appearances at schools, before civic groups and other special events.